Inter-week variation of meibometry and tear break-up time in healthy subjects

Abstract

Clinical relevance: Variation with time in the tear film parameters should be considered by the clinician, since the time when measurements are made can influence in a proper diagnosis. Background: A hallmark of dry eye is an unstable tear film associated with variability in objective daily measures. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the inter-week repeatability of meibometry, Break-up Time (BUT) and Maximum Blink Interval (MBI) in healthy subjects. Methods: Forty healthy subjects were recruited for the study. Meibometry, BUT and MBI were performed two times in two sessions one-week apart. Meibum from the lower eyelid was collected and quantified with the Meibometer® MB550. Five meibomian curves were generated by tape and each peak value was averaged as a mean value per session. BUT and MBI were performed after fluorescein instillation three times recorded by a DV-3 camera attached to the slit-lamp. BUT and MBI videos were analysed by a second masked observer who quantified their values in frames. Both BUT and MBI values were calculated by averaging only the two most similar measurements of the three evaluated. Results: No statistical difference between inter-week sessions was obtained for the meibometry (p >0.340; Wilcoxon test), BUT (p >0.326; Wilcoxon test) and MBI values (p ≥0.248; Wilcoxon test). Inter-week differences were low for BUT and MBI when times analysed were no longer than 15 seconds (both p ≥0.586; Wilcoxon test). There was found a correlation between BUT and MBI (r ≥0.668, p <0.001; Spearman Rho), while a no statistical correlation was obtained between Meibometry results and BUT or MBI (all p ≥0.194; Spearman Rho). Conclusion:The present study showed that meibum secretion and the tear film stability present good intersession repeatability, and are stable along with sessions in healthy patients.

Meibomian gland secretion quality association with ocular parameters in university students during COVID- 19 restrictions

“…No differences were reported in meibometry values between the quality of the MG secretion grades. This could be because the meibometry technique only measures the quantity of lipids present on the matt synthetic tape and not their quality [ 16 , 18 ]. It also does not consider the thickness of the meibum which depends of the chemical quality of the lipids (polar or not).…”

“…Average mean was calculated from three readings of the same tape on the photometry unit. Data was measured in Meibometer Units (MU) [ 16 , 18 ].…”

“…Meibometry was performed with the Meibometer MB 560 (Courage-Khazaka electronic GmbH, Cologne, Germany) [16][17][18][19]. This device is a photometer unit connected to a computer that shows the recorded data.…”

Analysis of the safety and effectiveness of endoscopic nasal dacryocystorhinostomy in the remedy of chronic dacryocystitis

“…[17] The normal value of breakup time was 10 to 30 seconds, and <10 seconds indicated that the tear film of the subject was unstable. [18,19]…”

“…[17] The normal value of breakup time was 10 to 30 seconds, and <10 seconds indicated that the tear film of the subject was unstable. [18,19] Before and 6 months after operation, the degree of epiphora was evaluated in both groups. [20,21] The score ranged from 0 to 5 points, from 0 (no epiphora) to 5 (continuous epiphora every day), indicating that the times of epiphora per day was gradually increasing.…”